Anchor apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 18, 1964 ATTORNEYS United States Patent M ANCHOR APPARATUS Ollie K. Goodwin, Newport News, Va., assignor to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, N ewport News, Va., a corporation of Virginia Orig nal application Sept. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 397,381. Divided and this application June 28, 1966, Ser. No. 565,034

3 Claims. (Cl. 114-208) The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Serial No. 397,381, filed September 18, 1964.

The present invention relates to new and novel anchor apparatus, and more particularly to anchor apparatus of the type including a support means and a body means wherein the body means is pivotally supported by the support means and is adapted to trim to a position wherein the flukes are disposed substantially parallel with the shank when the anchor is aweigh, thereby facilitating raising of the anchor into a stowed position.

Anchor apparatus of the type discussed hereinafter may be called a Danforth type anchor, and the construction of Danforth type anchors presents major probems in anchoring a vessel and raising the anchor when it is desired to get under way, particularly where large anchors are involved as employed with marine ships and large boats. These larger Danforth type anchors are cumbersome and unwieldly for manhandling and many of the larger vessels have no provision for such handling. The anchor and chain generally are lowered under winch and/ or brake control from the stowed position and when leaving anchorage are hauled by winch back into the stowage position. Danforth type anchors are generally designed to stow with the shank of the anchor drawn into a hawse pipe and with the flukes hauled snug against the shell plating or stowage recess plating. However, while hoisting a Danforth type anchor, the angle of the flukes has proven to be a problem and has resulted in severe scarring and damage of the outer shell of the ship.

In fact, when employed with modern ships having side shells with extreme flare, the flukes may be pivoted inwardly toward the shell and will not be cammed outwardly and on occasion may penetrate the hull. Accordingly, it is a principal objective of the present invention to provide an anchor apparatus wherein a pivotal interconnection is provided between the support means and the body means of the anchor which is positive operating and trouble-free and which requires no contact by the operators when lowering or raising the anchor such that when the anchor is weighed, the flukes of the anchor will trim to a position substantially parallel with the anchor shank which represents the optimum position for hauling in and stowing of this type of anchor.

The arrangement of the present invention is also such that the flukes will remain substantially parallel with the shank until the shank is very nearly in a horizontal position. This permits the anchor to be drawn into its stowage position while requiring a minimum aperture in the shell and without damaging the shell. Furthermore, this arrangement eliminates the necessity of providing bolsters about the end of the hawse pipe which are generally employed in the prior art to position the anchor when hauling it snug or aboard the vessel.

A particular advantage of the stowage arrangement of the present invention is the fact that the anchor can be stowed entirely inboard of the line of the hull form such that there is no protuberance on the part of the anchor extending outwardly of the shell. This is, of course, a very desirable end result. 7

Other types of anchors have been provided with arrangements for causing the flukes to trim out substantially parallel with the shank of the anchor, and this type of I 3,299,848 Patented Jan. 24, 1967 anchor has generally been termed a balanced anchor. However, Danforth type anchors have not employed such a balancing arrangement. In order to obtain the balancing effect, prior art balanced anchors have employed an arrangement wherein the over-all center of gravity of the body means of the anchor is disposed below the pivot axis which pivotally interconnects the body means with the support means or shank of the anchor. This arrange ment will of course tend to cause the flukes to trim into the desired lifting position, but this arrangement also causes the flukes to remain substantially vertical even when the shanak moves from its vertical position into a non-vertical position as it is being hauled into the ship. This is highly disadvantageous since the flukes do not remain substantially parallel with the shank as it is being hauled into the ship thereby causing the flukes to be in such a position as to inflict injury and damage on the shell. Additionally, a much larger aperture must be provided for receiving the anchor in such a case.

A further disadvantage of the so-called balanced anchor arrangement is the fact that since the weight of the body means is normally below the pivot axis, this arrangement tends to keep the flukes up when the anchor is resting on the bottom of the sea. In other words, the center of gravity of the body means is such as to create a moment tending to keep the flukes up out of anchoring operative position. This is of course disadvantageous since it then becomes necessary for the tripping palms to develop suflicient forces to overcome this moment created by the weight of the body means and to trip the fluke means mto the operative position.

The present invention comprises a Danforth type anchor employing a novel arrangement wherein the body rneans is pivotally supported for movement in opposite dlIeClZlOnS with respect to the support means or shank, the body means being mounted for such pivotal movement about two separate spaced independent pivot axes. The center of gravity of the over-all body means is located in a unique manner with respect to these two pivot axes.

Considering a line drawn through the pivot axes, the over-all center of gravity of the body means is disposed above this line or away from the line in a direction toward the upper end of the shank. This arrangement is such that when the anchor is on the bottom of the sea, the weight of the body means will develop a moment which actually tends to pivot the flukes of the anchor into their operative position. This is highly advantageous and is a completely different result than is obtained with conventional balanced anchors.

In addition, the center of gravity of the over-all body means is disposed such that it is spaced between a pair of parallel planes which pass through the said two pivot axes and which also are disposed substantially perpendicular with the said line passing through said axes. The anchor is further provided with limit stop means which limits the pivotal movement between the body means and the shank of the anchor. This pivotal movement is so limited that the center of gravity always remains within the af-oredescribed desired limits such that when the anchor is aweigh, a constant trim moment is produced which tends to cause the flukes to trim into a position substantially parallel with the shank of the anchor.

Accordingly, it is apparent that with the arrangement of the present invention, the over-all center of gravity of the body means is so disposed as to develop the desired moments both when the anchor is aweigh and when it is on the sea bottom. This is a unique concept and a substantially improved result not obtainable with prior art anchors.

Additionally, by positioning the center of gravity of the over-all body means such that it is relatively close to the said line passing through the pivot axes, the flukes will remain substantially parallel with the shank until the shank is nearly in a horizontal position. Only when the shank is nearly horizontal is a suflicient moment developed by the weight of the over-all body means so as to cause the force to overcome frictional forces involved so that the body means will then tend to pivot into a position wherein the flukes would be out of parallel relationship with the shank.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and novel anchor apparatus which provides a continuous return moment which when the anchor is aweigh causes the flukes to move to a trim position wherein the flukes are disposed substantially parallel with the shank of the anchor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of anchor apparatus wherein the flukes will remain trimmed to a position substantially parallel with the shank while the anchor is aweigh until the shank is nearly in a horizontal position thus facilitating movement of the anchor into a stowed position and requiring a minimum aperture in the shell.

A still further object of the invention is to provide anchor apparatus wherein the body means is so pivoted with respect to the support means that the weight of the body means develops a moment which assists in tripping the flukes into operative position when the anchor is on the sea bottom.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a "still further modified form of the anchor apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the anchor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view partly broken away illustrating the components of this modified form of the anchor;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line -66 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the body means of this form of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical section taken through the central portion of the anchor illustrating the pivotal interconnection between the body means and the head of the shank;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 10-10 of FIG. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 illustrating theeomponents in a different relative relationship with respect to one another; and

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of one of the connecting links employed in this latter form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the anchor of the present invention may be a 100-pound anchor. The support means is indicated generally by reference numeral 220 and the body means is indicated generally by reference numeral 222. Support means 220 includes, a shank portion 224 of generally rectangular cross sectional configuration which increases in size in a downward direction, the upper end of the shank including attaching portion 226 having the hole 228 formed therethrough. A substantially U -shaped attaching means 230 is provided and secured pivotally to the attaching portion 226 by means of pin 232 which is fixed in the position shown in such a manner as to'permit free pivotal movement of the U-shaped member 230 with respect to the shank.

The lower end portion of the shank 224 is provided with a support portion or head 234 which has a generally elliptical cross sectional configuration as seen in FIGS. 10' and 11. This head includes upwardly extending lugs 236 and 238 formed integral therewith, these lugs being spaced substantially equidistantly from either side of the shank portion 224 as seen for example in FIGS. 5 and 8. The opposite ends of the head are provided with outwardly tapered end portions 240 and 242 each of which has a threaded opening formed therein adapted to receive the inner threaded end of stabilizing stock members 244 and 246 respectively which extend outwardly therefrom and terminate in rounded end portions.

The body means 222 includes a crown portion 250 defining a central elongated slot portion 252 which is adapted to receive the shank 224 and to permit pivotal movement -of the body means with respect to the shank. Crown 250 also includes spaced laterally extending wall portions 254, 256, 258 and 260. These spaced wall portions are adapted to be sandwiched between the end portions and the lugs and the shank portion of the support means in the manner illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 9, the head and the crown being connected with one another as hereinafter described. A pair of fluke members 270 and 272 extend upwardly from the crown.

The body means also includes integral depending side portions 274 and 276 as seen most clearly in FIGS. 6, l0 and 11, these depending side portions having arcuate outer surfaces and including tripping areas 278 and 280 which are adapted to engage the sea bottom and cause pivotal movement of the flukes into the operative anchoring position.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 9, the crown portion of the body means and the head portion of the support means are pivotally interconnected with one another through the intermediary of four separate connecting links 290, 292, 294 and 296. As seen particularly in FIG. 12, the links are of substantially identical construction and link 296 is illustrated as exemplary. Each of the links is provided with an arcuate recess 300 in the lower portion thereof which is adapted to fit relatively snugly upon the arcuate upper surface of the adjacent portions of the head 234. Link 296 is provided with a first hole 296' formed therethrough which is provided with a substantially frustoconical enlargement at one end thereof to receive the head of a suitable pin member. The other of the openings 296" is provided with a similar enlarged frusto-conical portion at the opposite side of the connecting link.

Considering now particularly FIG. 4, link 290 has one end portion thereof pivotally connected by means of a pin 310 with the wall portion 254 of the crown. It will be understood that suitable openings are provided in the various portions of the crown and the head for receiving the cylindrical portions of the pins. The opposite end portion of link 290 is pivotally interconnected by means of pin 312 with the lug 236 on the head.

In a similar manner, one end portion of connecting link 292 is pivotally interconnected by means of a pin 314 with lug 236 on the head, while the opposite end of link 292 is pivotally interconnected by means of pin 316 with the wall portion 256 of the crown.

The connecting link 294 is pivotally connected at one end thereof by means of a pin 320 with the wall portion 258 of the crown while the opposite end of link 294 is pivotally interconnected by means of pin 318 with the lug 238 of the head. One end portion of link 296 is pivotally interconnected by means of pin 322 with the wall portion 260 of the crown, while the other end portionof link 296 is pivotally interconnected by means of pin 324 with the lug 238 of the head.

It will accordingly be apparent that the body means is supported for pivotal movement with respect to the head of the support means about two pivot axes kk and ll as indicated in FIG. 4, these pivot axes extending through the longitudinal axes of the various pins which serve to pivotally interconnect the connecting links between the associated portions of the head and the crown.

Considering now FIGS. and 11, a line or plane n-n is illustrated as passing through the two spaced pivot axes k and l. Two parallel planes 00 and pp are also indicated, each of these planes passing through one of the pivot axes, the planes also being disposed substantially perpendicular to the line or plane n-n. These planes 00 and p-p are also disposed substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shank and equidistantly from such longitudinal axis.

As seen in FIG. 10, the body means is illustrated in its normal trim position, and in this position the overall center of gravity of the body means is indicated by the reference characters c.g. It will be noted that the center of gravity of the body means is spaced from the line or plane nn and is disposed away therefrom in a direction toward the upper end of the shank. In addition, the center of gravity is spaced between the planes 00 and pp and in the trim position is disposed substantially midway therebetween.

FIG. 11 illustrates the relationship of the components when the body means has been pivoted into its anchoring position. This of course can be caused by engagement of the tripping areas with the sea bottom. Movement of the body means in this direction is limited by interengagement of the inner surface of the portion 274 of the body means with the head portion 234, and is further limited by interengagement of the shank with one of the lateral surfaces of the slot 252 provided in the crown. The flukes are adapted to pivot into a position wherein they extend at substantially 45 degree angles to the longitudinal axis of the shank.

It will be noted as seen in FIG. 11 that the center of gravity of the over-all body means remains in the desired relationship with respect to the line or plane nn as well as the planes 0-0 and pp. In its pivotal movement into the position shown in FIG. 11, it is apparent that the body means will pivot about the pivot axis k. It will be understood that the body means can as well pivot into a position wherein the flukes would extend to the right of the shank 224 as seen in FIG. 11 wherein the body means would pivot about the pivot axis 1, and the pivotal movement would be limited by engagement of portion 276 of the body means with portion 234 of the head as well as interengagement of the shank with the opposite end of the slot 252.

It is accordingly apparent that the body means is mounted for pivotal movement about two separate spaced independent pivot axes and that the center of gravity remains in the desired relationship to the various lines and planes passing through these pivot axes. It will be apparent that the center of gravity by remaining between the planes 00 and pp when in the pivoted position shown in FIG. 11 will provide a continuous trim moment when the shank is disposed in a vertical position which will tend to cause the body means to pivot into a position wherein the flukes are disposed substantially parallel with the shank. Additionally, this relationship of the center of gravity with respect to the line or plane n--n will assure that the weight of the body means will assist in tripping the flukes into the desired anchoring position when the shank means is disposed substantially horizontally and when it is desired to set the anchor in the -sea bottom.

The center of gravity as seen in FIG. 10 is spaced only a relatively small distance from the line or plane n-n whereby the flukes will remain substantially parallel with the shank until the shank is nearly horizontal whereupon the weight of the body means will develop a sufficient force to overcome the frictional forces and cause the flukes to pivot out of parallel relationship with the shank.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according to the present invention new and novel anchor apparatus incorporating a support means adapted to be connected to an anchor chain and a body means including flukes formed thereon for digging into the sea bottom. The construction is such that the body means is pivotally interconnected with the support means in a manner whereby there is always provided a constant return moment to cause the body means to move into a trim position when the anchor is aweigh whereby the flukes will be disposed substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shank of the anchor. When the anchor is being raised, the flukes will remain substantially parallel with the shank in the trim position until the shank is nearly in a horizontal relationship thereby facilitating movement of the anchor into its stowed position and requiring a minimum size aperture in the shell of the ship. The pivotal interconnection of the body means with the support means and the relationship of the center of gravity of the body means with respect to the pivot axes are such that the weight of the body means will assist in tripping the flukes into operative position when the anchor is being set into anchoring position on the sea bottom.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. Anchor apparatus comprising support means including an elongated shank having attaching means formed at the upper end thereof, the lower end of said shank having a head connected therewith, said head including spaced support portions, a body means including fluke means thereonand including tripping means extending therefrom, said body means including a second plurality of support portions, and link means, each of said link means having one end thereof pivotally interconnected with one of said plurality of spaced support portions and the other end of each link being pivotally interconnected with the other of said plurality of spaced support portions such that said body means is mounted for pivotal movement about two spaced independent pivot axes whereby the body means is adapted to pivot in opposite directions with respect to said support means.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the over-all center of gravity of the body means is disposed relative to a plane passing through said pivot axes such that the center of gravity of the body means is spaced away from said plane toward the upper end of said shank and such that the center of gravity is disposed between spaced parallel planes each of which passes through one of said pivot axes and which pair of spaced planes is disposed substantially perpendicular to said first-mentioned plane, and interengaging means on said body means and said support means for limiting pivotal movement therebetween such that the clenter of gravity remains in the aforedescribed relation s 1p.

3. Anchor apparatus comprising support means including an elongated shank having attaching means at the upper end portion thereof, a lower supportportion formed at the lower end of said shank and comprising a head defining afirst plurality of spaced support portions, bodymeans having fluke means formed thereon and including tripping portions extending therefrom for tripping the fluke means into operative anchoring relationship, said body means including a second plurality of spaced support portions, two pairs of connecting links, each of said links being pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof with one of said first plurality of spaced portions and one of said second plurality of spaced portions to define a pair of spaced independent pivot axes about which the body means is adapted to pivot in opposite directions with respect to ment between said body means and saidsupport means for 10 retaining the center of gravity in the aforesaid described relationship whereby a constant trim moment is maintained which tends to cause the fluke means to trim parallel to said shank when the anchor is aweigh.

No references cited.

T. M. BLIX, Assistant Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.. 

1. ANCHOR APPARATUS COMPRISING SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING AN ELONGATED SHANK HAVING ATTACHING MEANS FORMED AT THE UPPER END THEREOF, THE LOWER END OF SAID SHANK HAVING A HEAD CONNECTED THEREWITH, SAID HEAD INCLUDING SPACED SUPPORT PORTIONS, A BODY MEANS INCLUDING FLUKE MEANS THEREON AND INCLUDING TRIPPING MEANS EXTENDING THEREFROM, SAID BODY MEANS INCLUDING A SECOND PLURALITY OF SUPPORT PORTIONS, AND LINK MEANS, EACH OF SAID LINK MEANS HAVING ONE END THEREOF PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED WITH ONE OF SAID PLURALITY OF SPACED SUPPORT PORTIONS AND THE OTHER END OF EACH LINK BEING PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED WITH THE OTHER OF SAID PLURALITY OF SPACED SUPPORT PORTIONS SUCH THAT SAID BODY MEANS IS MOUNTED FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT TWO SPACED INDEPENDENT PIVOT AXES WHEREBY THE BODY MEANS IS ADAPTED TO PIVOT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS. 